Manchester City aim to extend perfect start against in-form Sunderland
Manchester City welcome Sunderland to the Etihad Stadium for a Premier League matchday 5 fixture, with both clubs arriving in strong recent form. City have won all five of their last league outings, while Sunderland have taken three wins from their last five, losing only once in that run.
A recent history of City dominance
The two sides have met four times in the Premier League since 2016, and Manchester City have won three of those meetings, with the other ending goalless. Their most recent encounter, in December 2025, saw City win 3-0, though the reverse fixture in January 2026 finished level at 0-0.
That head-to-head record gives City a psychological edge heading into this latest meeting, even as Sunderland arrive having shown they can pick up results against strong opposition this season.
Form lines suggest a tight contest for control
City's run of five straight wins puts them ahead of Sunderland's three victories in the equivalent span, and it is that consistency which will be watched closely as the visitors look to disrupt the hosts' momentum. Sunderland's sole defeat in their last five matches shows they are not unbeatable, but their draw and subsequent win suggest resilience.
With kick-off set at the Etihad, both teams will be aiming to continue their positive trajectories, in a fixture that could offer an early season marker for how far Sunderland have progressed against one of the division's most consistent performers.